Ramson awaiting Judge’s orders on DCB elections

…keeping in contact with CWI

By Jemima Holmes

As the saga regarding the Guyana Cricket Administration Act (GCAA) continues to unfold, Minister of Culture, Youth and Sport, Charles Ramson Jr, has informed that the fraternity will soon see the Demerara Cricket Board (DCB) holding elections as per the judge’s orders.
Much to the relief of this Minister and other cricket administrators, the Guyana Cricket Administration Act (GCAA) was reinstated last week. This has paved the way for the Demerara Cricket Board (DCB) and the Guyana Cricket Board (GCB) to hold elections, which may or may not see a complete overhaul in cricket administration in Guyana.
According to Charles Ramson Jr, who holds responsibility for Sport in his ministerial portfolio, a judge’s orders are being awaited in regard to the date for holding elections for the Demerara Cricket Board.
“The judge has to give an order stipulating the date for the election. That is what I’m advised. Once that occurs, we can then substantively set up the Demerara Cricket Board (DCB) that is a precursor and precondition for the Guyana Cricket Board election to occur,” the Minister revealed.
The Guyana Cricket Board (GCB) elections should follow right after those of the DCB. However, according to the GCAA Chapter 21:03, Section 17, the Minister is required to consult with Cricket West Indies, and thereafter set a date for the election.
In this regard, Ramson disclosed that he has been in constant contact with the Caribbean’s cricket authority. He said, “It is important that the public knows that I am in constant communication with the CWI already. In fact, I would say every other week or every two weeks or so, I’m in communication with the CWI, Mr. Ricky Skerritt. Obviously, you can see why I’m trying to keep them abreast with what’s going on.”
Another reason for his frequent communication with CWI, Ramson explained, is the need to have clarity on Guyana’s representatives to the CWI Board.
“They’re questions there about the legitimacy of our board representation. That is important for Guyana and the interest of Guyana, and they wouldn’t want to be left in a precarious situation where they’re unsure of who they ought to be dealing with, or which body they ought to be dealing with. So the expeditious resolution of this issue, which has been plaguing Guyana for a number of years, is important for me, the country, and cricket lovers and sportsmen specifically,” the Sport Minister elaborated.
While sharing that he is not working in isolation, and has no personal interest in cricket administration, the Minister explained that he is focused on ensuring every stakeholder is compliant and operating according to law.
He declared, “I’ve said to them that I don’t have a dog in the race. My function is to make sure that everybody is compliant and everybody is operating according to the law. It is not for me to cherry pick individuals who would represent Guyana’s interests; it is the process that’s important for me, and that is what I intend to stick by.”
He has therefore hinted at the possibility of the GCAA being reassessed.
“At some point, we also have to be able to review the Cricket Administration Act, because it hasn’t really been operating over the last few years. You had the suspension of the provisions just a couple of years ago, which is something that proscribes the ability to have the act functioning and be able to assess it.”
He continued by saying, “The fact that it was done by a court order is something that is irregular. I’m happy that it is no longer an issue, but we’ve got to now quickly advance the process.”